University of California-Irvine Top Questions

Looking back at the past months now conjures a plethora of memories and indescribable experiences that defined my freshman year. In high school, I was often reticent and anti-social, rarely participating in class discussions and methodologically going through my routine daily schedule of attending classes, sports practice, and other various tasks. When I began my life at UCI, however, my life was drastically jerked out of monotony and I found myself thrown into the vibrant and face-paced college environment. I thank my parents for allowing me to dorm in the residence halls for my first year because living amongst other Undecided/Undeclared freshman helped expand my personal growth. I learned how imperative balancing a social and academic life is. I have met many wonderful individuals and realize that unlike my high school years, college is about branching out. Meeting students of diverse backgrounds has led me to respect the different cultures. My second year living in an apartment has exposed me to a different independent lifestyle where I am learning to balance a busier schedule filled with outside involvements. I personally experienced much growth and know I still have much to learn in the future years to come.

I am a 19-year-old student of social and economic disadvantage background, with a GPA of 3.20. The college experienced has been very valuable with strong impact on my educational, professional goals. It makes me to work harder and more effective on daily basis, regardless of my financial condition. I am working very hard to obtain a bachelors of Science in Film at Full Sail University, which is VERY EXPENSIVE and I do have an overwhelming weight over my shoulder, because of the high amount of debt that I have already incurred. If I win the award, it will help significantly as an economic relief that would allow me to keep FOCUS on moving forward towards the accomplishment of my educational and professional goals.

From the very first day I arrived on campus to move into the dorms, upperclassmen actually volunteered their time to help freshman with their luggage and moving in. My Resident Adviser in the dorms was amazing at building cohesion in our dorm. I would considered many of my friends from freshman year as lifelong friends. Also, UC Irvine has such a plethora of extracurricular activities that it really allowed me to develop my own abilities and know who I am as a person. I was able to try different things on campus to see what I liked---from studying abroad in Italy, to conducting independent research, to taking a dance class to relieve stress, become a campus leader through an on campus job, or even takng a quarter off to intern in Washington D.C. Looking back on my undergraduate time here, UC Irvine has definitely created an amazing environment for me from the day I moved into the dorms to commencement day.

My first year in college far exceeded my expectations. As a self-proclaimed "nerd", I loved the challenge of student life. My freshman year was a year of many "firsts". It was my first time leaving home. Before entering college, "home" to me was a small, humble island in the Pacific Ocean. Living away from home taught me how to be more responsible, knowing no one else will take care of me, but myself. More importantly, I learned to appreciate my family in more ways that one, cherishing every opportunity I have to visit home. I received my first job during this year also. I worked as a dining attendant at our dorms. More than anything, this job taught me to humble myself. Working and wiping tables taught me to respect those who actually did this for a living; I was just doing it for some pocket money. Aside from making new friends, earning work experience, and being able to do what I'm passionate about---dancing, I can confidently tell myself that I learned more during my first year in college than any textbook can teach me.

I have the will and the drive not to give up I love getting a good education and I feel that is what I have been given. I got the chance to learn hands on helping me perfect my dishes in cooking, also I got the chance to learn time control, sanitation and most of all had the chance to learn that you have to listen, just because someone doesn't like what you make doesnt mean that it is all bad, it just means that you need to take the time out to understand what you are doing wrong ask for help and not be afraid to try and do new and creative things.

The years that I spent in college were some of the most exciting of my life. College gave me the opportunity to practice life, while still retaining some the security that I felt while still at home. Everyone who speaks of a college education usually makes priority of the hours and hours spent in class or studying, and it cannot be denied that school is a very important as well as a stimulating part of the time spent there; but, no less important are the things that I learned outside of the classroom, life lessons as one might call them, all the things you learn to do for the first time on your own. The first time you realize that cooking your own dinner is harder than it looks, the first time you realize that your parents must have infinite patience to have dealt with administrators for you your whole life. That friends that share in your most vulnerable and stressful moments are bonded with you for life. These are the experiences that I look back on when I think of UCI, and make me want to encourage everyone to experience them too.

As a single mother of three girls, I believe I have achieve excellent skills and techniques that have enhanced my current educational level within a PhD program as well as my professional experience as a counselor with youth and young adults. I believe attending college, has given me the opportunity to show all young females (even single mothers), that hard work, dedication, life long learning can be achieve no matter what life brings forth to us. Education is everything in life and change will happen eventually.

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to attend college at this time in my life. I have worked in the public world for 32 years and worn many hats. After the last "economic downturn", I was forced to re-evaluate my career and reach down deep to discover my heart's desire, to be a caregiver. I have raised 2 children as a single Mother and made sure they had an education, now it's my turn. I am majoring in Medical Assisting and will graduate in December 2010. Going to school has opened my eyes to what I missed as a youngster, but it is going to give me more security for my future. I believe the Healthcare field is wide open and will be needing as many healthcare professionals as possible. I have so enjoyed this time of my life, although it has been far from easy. Sitting in a classroom with kids fresh out of high school was intimidating enough, but to crack open a Math book after so many years, yikes! I stepped out of my comfort zone, enrolled in college, and have not turned back. I will perservere to the end.

At the college level, academic education is important but relies heavily on self-initiation rather than a structured institution. Therefore, a passionate attitude in learning is crucial. One of the greatest values in attending college is the opportunity for one to learn how to live with enthusiasm. The college experience is like making cakes for a wonderful, diverse audience. Different people from all over the world will appreciate my desert. Some appreciations become everlasting, positive memories in my life and bring me permanent successes and happiness. Yet anyone who tastes my cake can feed me with incessant criticisms. I must then learn to use all the resources available to fix my cake – scientifically and artistically. How do I decrease its calorie while maintaining its good taste? How can I make my cake appear more refined? How would I advertise my cake? How do I skillfully deal with my enemies? College provides me many practices in building up a tenacious, courageous mind to sustain that enthusiasm. In the process of making a beautiful, delicious, healthy cake, accidents happen. I clean up the mess. And if I never lose the enthusiasm in trying again, I find luck.

Thank you for this opportunity. My college experience has been very beneficial to my sense of worth and my self confidence. I am returning to school after more than 10 years. I have four children at home. Going back to school to follow my dream has been a wonderful opportunity to show my boys that it is never too late to do what you have been called to do. I feel so accomplished that I have been able to succeed in my classes. Most of all, during my studies so far, I have been encouraged that I am in the right field just by the level of enjoyment I have had. Studying about anatomy and physiology last term just enforced my desire to continue in the nursing field. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will assist me to continue my dream of becoming a nurse. Thank you so much! Stephanie Smith